The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-07
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
THE CORSET AND THE BUSTLE REAL
BLESSINGS IF PROPERLY USED.

Make.
"If an ultra fashionable young man and
maiden of the same kind, both in full walking |
costume, were to start from the Knicker-
booker club house on Fifth avenue and race
down to Delmonicos, which one would win" |
was the question put by prominent lady |
physician to a group of people who were talk |
ing about dress reforms, the derided skirt and |
kindred topics the other day.
Every one present gave up the conundrum,
but they all agreed with the originator of it
when she declared that the girl, notwithstand-
ing her veil, her close fitting gown, her hustle
and her muff would win against the youth
with his hat likely to fly off at the first rush,
his collar choking him so that he could not
see, his heavy cane, his tight boots and his
wide trousers Tapping about his ankles.
Those who have any other idea should test 1t
by trial.
"Dress reform!" exclaimed the irate little
physician, who has gained reputation as one
of the best practitioners in the city. 1.-THE
truth of the matter is that most women dress
with as much regard to the laws of health as
do the men. The former have reformed, the
latter are degenerating, or how else do you ac-
count for the pointed shoes, the stays, the high
collars and the stove pipe hats that men wears
If woman in general is not so healthy as man,
it is not on account of her clothes, of that l
feel certain. But l am Of the opinion that
the women of New York are twice as healthy
as the men.
$50 to the opera, to any church or assem-
bly,. What do you see? Men sallow and lean;
| men bald headed and pasty looking, or men
so stout and unwieldy, so red and uncomfort-
able looking that it makes one uncomfortable
to look at them But you see five women out
of every ten rosy and plump, erect in car
riage, bright of eye, and altogether charm
ingly healthy. These are the so called fash
ionable women, whom Lady Habberton,
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mrs. Miller and
dozen other reformers are constantly crying
down as running the future race and their
own health!
"Of course there are many articles of wear
ing apparel that could be improved" she con-
tinued, "but the corsets, the hustle and skirts
against which the reformers and men are
constantly crying out, are real blessings II
only used properly and the majority OF wo-
men nowadays know how to wear them.
Twenty or thirty years ago it was different
Eighteen inch waists were considered neces-
aary for beauty, slippers were worn on all
occasions, or shoes with pasteboard soles, and
the enormous head dresses and bonnets were
something atrocious."
"How do the women of to-day dress better
than their mothers and grandmothersg
queried reporter present.
"Wel," said the little physician, "there is
no reason why l should not be plain. In the
first place, the old-fashioned chemise, with itS
multitude Of gathers, has gone entirely out Of
fashion Women who wear the garment al
all have it made in the French fashion, will
J cores and seams and as a consequence the
corset which is worn next to it, does not
press the gathers and wrinkles about the
, waist and hips But the majority of womer
wear the i3ttle gauze, flannel, cashmere OIL
silk vests, which have come in Of late years
, and are woven to fit the form, while not a
all hampering it. For winter wear there arr
the combination garments of flannel made al
a in one piece and clothing one from neck t.
ankles most comfortably.
e "No, I will not admit that the corset o
, itself is injurious" said the lady, most ener
getically Brandy is injurious if one take
= too much of it, but it is excellent in man.
cases. So it is with the corset If of tn
proper kind and worn properly it is one of tn
il greatest boons to womanlzind. The steel
ribbed corsets worn by some few, l wi
admit, are quite dreadful; but the woven an
what is known as the health corset are mos
/! desirable. They are so yielding that they fl
s. the form, and yet support and protect il
IS They are provided with shoulder straps, an
or all the skirts may be fastened to them or
10 one of the new skirt supporters worn owe
it them. If a woman laces size generally suffer
10, f,II do from cn1Okinor r
IN drinking. But very few women lace now'
n days. 1t is not the fashion to have an a bno
1t mally small waist, and L don't think it wi
III be-"
y "But you must admit that the hustle is
ct most injurious and unhealthful article {
s, wearing apparel" said gentleman who VIZ
g, present.
50 "Oh, no. nevern size exclaimed. "Bustlt
i'd are the salvation of many women. Men hay
rs such erroneous ideas of many things Yo
nj will admit that ten men to every one wonla
Il. dies of some disease of the kidneys or live
Yesl Well, then, women must thank I'll
much abused hustle for keeping them free
y such trouble Howe The hustle of wire,
no steel, or of any of the light, airy materials
us which it is now made, worn under the skirt
y keeps the small of the back from becomin
IL too heated, and consequently the circulate
r is better and the kidneys and liver healthie
er The hustle also supports the skirts and holt
IL the dress in such fashion that walking ar
OF running are made easier.
be The physician assured the reporter tin
ne few women wear more than two underskir
at this season of the year. "Our gran
mothers wore four and five, some of them
quilted flannel, too, so we have reformed
that matter"
"But of what value are the bonnets al
hats worn by womenp said the gentlemt
as who ran down the hustle "rhey are trum
~ cry little things of lace and ribbon, and J
u protection whatever"
~ "Go look in the mirror and see what 20
Il, sensible hat that fits the head and keeps o
nj the air has done for you" exclaimed the ste
vi lecturer. The gentleman obeyed and saw
30 head quite bald.
e, "a bat or a bonnet should be an ornamer
= not protection. The hair is the natural co
ering for the head. Women realize this al
ne keep their hair. Men go about pulled up wi
n. the importance Of their superiority in wee
mt ing sensible hats and get bald before tn
to are 40; then they say it is brain work th
ny does it!'-New York Journal.
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